U.S. patent application number 15/120623 was filed with the patent office on 2017-01-12 for vehicle seat.
The applicant listed for this patent is TS Tech Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Akimitsu KURIHARA, Jinichi TANABE.
Application Number | 20170008437 15/120623 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54009138 |
Filed Date | 2017-01-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170008437 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
TANABE; Jinichi ; et
al. |
January 12, 2017 |
VEHICLE SEAT
Abstract
A vehicle seat that can suitably protect a seated occupant
against an impact from a seat width direction is described, while
enlargement of the seat in the seat width direction is restrained.
A support member provided to the vehicle seat supports the seated
occupant from a side of the seated occupant, and includes an inner
plate attached to a seat width direction inner side of a side
frame, an outer plate attached to a seat width direction outer side
of the side frame, and a connection plate for connecting the inner
plate and the outer plate on a seat front side. The outer plate is
attached to the seat width direction outer side of the side frame
at a position that does not overlap in the seat width direction
with attachment positions of the inner plate and the side
frame.
Inventors: |
TANABE; Jinichi; (Tochigi,
JP) ; KURIHARA; Akimitsu; (Tochigi, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TS Tech Co., Ltd. |
Asaka-shi, Saitama |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
54009138 |
Appl. No.: |
15/120623 |
Filed: |
February 26, 2015 |
PCT Filed: |
February 26, 2015 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2015/055697 |
371 Date: |
August 22, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 2/68 20130101; B60R
21/207 20130101; B60N 2/4256 20130101; B60N 2/4235 20130101; B60N
2/986 20180201 |
International
Class: |
B60N 2/68 20060101
B60N002/68; B60N 2/42 20060101 B60N002/42; B60R 21/207 20060101
B60R021/207 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 28, 2014 |
JP |
2014-039334 |
Claims
1. A vehicle seat comprising: a support member that is attached to
a side frame of a seat back frame and supports a seated occupant
from a side of the seated occupant wherein the support member
comprises an inner plate that is attached to an inner side of the
side frame in a seat width direction, an outer plate that is
attached to an outer side of the side frame in the seat width
direction, and a connection portion that connects a front side of
the inner plate and a front side of the outer plate in a seat front
to back direction; and wherein the outer plate is attached to the
outer side of the side frame at a position that does not overlap in
the seat width direction with a position at which the inner plate
is attached to the side frame.
2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the support
member comprises a rear side connection portion that is connected
to the inner plate, the outer plate, and the connection portion at
a side of the connection portion that faces the side frame; and
wherein the rear side connection portion is formed to abut against
a front surface of the side frame in the seat front to back
direction when a load is applied to the inner plate.
3. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the inner plate
is attached to the side frame at a position corresponding to a
height of a chest region of the seated occupant.
4. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the side frame
comprises a front expansion portion that expands to a seat front at
a portion corresponding to at least a height of a waist of the
seated occupant; and wherein the inner plate is provided above a
maximum expansion position of the front expansion portion.
5. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein a length of the
inner plate of the support member in a height direction is longer
than a length of the connection portion in the height
direction.
6. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the inner plate
is attached to the side frame by a plurality of inner attachment
portions; and wherein the connection portion is formed to overlap
with the plurality of inner attachment portions in the seat front
to back direction.
7. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the support
member is formed so that an upper portion of a space partially
enclosed by the inner plate, the outer plate, and the connection
portion is open.
8. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein an airbag and an
inflator for the airbag are disposed at the outer side of the outer
plate of the support member in the seat width direction; and
wherein the inflator is disposed below the inner plate.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a National Stage Entry application of
PCT Application No. PCT/JP2015/055697, filed Feb. 26, 2015, which
claims the priority benefit of Japanese Patent Application No.
2014-039334, filed Feb. 28, 2014, the contents being incorporated
herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle seat, and
particularly to a vehicle seat including a support member that is
attached to a side frame of a seat back frame and supports a seated
occupant from a side of the seated occupant.
[0003] As a technique for protecting a seated occupant against a
sideways impact of a vehicle, vehicles including a door-mounted
airbag in which an airbag module is disposed on a side of a seat,
for example, in the interior of a side door, are conventionally
known.
[0004] Moreover, similarly, as a technique aimed at impact
reduction during a side collision, and further for suitably
supporting a seated occupant from the occupant's side during normal
operation, Japanese Patent Publication JP 2009-095597 discloses a
technique to provide a side portion of a seat back frame with a
side support internally including a cavity for impact reduction and
providing flexibility. Specifically, according to Japanese Patent
Publication JP 2009-095597, a seated occupant is horizontally moved
during a side collision and presses against the side support so
that the cavity of the side support is crushed, which allows the
seated occupant to horizontally move, whereby impact can be
absorbed.
[0005] As in the disclosure of Japanese Patent Publication JP
2009-095597, in a case in which the cavity in the side support
reduces sideways impact from a seat while the seated occupant can
be supported on the occupant's side during normal operation as
well, providing a cavity that is sufficiently large for impact
absorption is required. Accordingly, an amount of protrusion of the
side support toward a seat sideward space becomes necessarily
large, which results in reducing an interior space of the
vehicle.
SUMMARY
[0006] The present disclosure has been made in view of the problem
as described above, and an embodiment of the present disclosure
provides a vehicle seat that can suitably protect a seated occupant
against an impact from a seat width direction while enlargement of
the seat in the seat width direction is restrained. Moreover, an
embodiment of the present disclosure provides a vehicle seat that
has high support rigidity against a load applied from the seated
occupant during normal operation and can suitably support the
seated occupant. Further, an embodiment of the present disclosure
provides a vehicle seat that can suitably support the seated
occupant by reducing a load applied to a seated occupant during a
side collision.
[0007] The problem as described above is solved by a vehicle seat
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, including: a
support member attached to a side frame of a seat back frame and
supporting a seated occupant from a side of the seated occupant, in
which the support member includes an inner plate attached to an
inner side of the side frame in a seat width direction, an outer
plate attached to an outer side of the side frame in the seat width
direction, and a connection portion that connects a front side of
the inner plate and a front side of the outer plate in a seat front
to back direction, and the outer plate is attached to the seat
width direction outer side of the side frame at a position that
does not overlap in the seat width direction with a position of
attaching the inner plate to the side frame.
[0008] In the configuration as described above, the outer plate of
the support member is attached to the side frame at a position that
does not overlap in the seat width direction with a position of
attaching the inner plate to the side frame, whereby a rigidity
against a load applied to the support member in the seat width
direction can be reduced. The support member regulates movement of
the seated occupant in the seat width direction when a vehicle is
in a normal state and can allow the seated occupant to move in the
seat width direction when, in a case in which the vehicle has a
side collision, a larger load than the normal state is applied from
the seated occupant in the seat width direction, whereby
application of a reaction force from the support member to the
seated occupant can be restrained. Accordingly, proper protection
of the seated occupant from the seat width direction during normal
operation or a side collision can be achieved using the vehicle
seat including the support member attached to the seat width
direction inner and outer sides of the side frame by the inner
plate and the outer plate to be disposed, the vehicle seat being
more compact than one that is disposed only to an outer side of the
side frame.
[0009] Further, suitably, the support member includes a rear side
connection portion connected to the inner plate, the outer plate,
and the connection portion at a side of the side frame of the
connection portion, and the rear side connection portion is formed
in such a manner as to abut against a front surface of the side
frame when a load is applied to the inner plate. In the
configuration as described above, the rear side connection portion
abutting against the side frame is provided to the support member,
whereby a support rigidity of the support member against a load
applied from the seated occupant through the support member to the
side frame can be improved and the seated occupant can be suitably
supported.
[0010] Moreover, preferably, the inner plate is attached to the
side frame in such a manner as to be positioned at a height of a
chest region of the seated occupant. In the configuration as
described above, the inner plate positioned on a side in contact
with the seated occupant is positioned at the height of the chest
region of the seated occupant, whereby sides of the chest region of
the seated occupant that require protection during a side collision
can be suitably supported.
[0011] Moreover, preferably, the side frame includes a front
expansion portion that expands to a seat front at a portion
corresponding to at least a height of the waist of the seated
occupant, and the inner plate is provided above a maximum expansion
position of the front expansion portion. In the configuration as
described above, interference of deformation of the inner plate due
to pressing from the seated occupant with the front expansion
portion can be suppressed, deformation of the support member toward
a seat width direction outer side can be secured, and a load
applied to the seated occupant during a side collision is reduced,
whereby the seated occupant can be suitably supported.
[0012] Moreover, preferably, a length of the inner plate of the
support member in a height direction is longer than a length of the
connection portion in the height direction. In the configuration as
described above, an area of the connection portion is relatively
smaller than the inner plate so that a contact area of the inner
plate and the seated occupant is enlarged and accordingly local
generation of a force applied from the inner plate to the seated
occupant can be restrained, and a foreign body sensation caused in
the seated occupant by reduction of the rigidity of the support
member can be suppressed.
[0013] Further, preferably, the inner plate is attached to the side
frame by a plurality of inner attachment portions, and the
connection portion is formed in such a manner as to overlap with
the plurality of inner attachment portions in a seat front to back
direction. The connection portion is thus formed in such a manner
as to overlap with the plurality of inner attachment portions in
the seat front to back direction, so that the rigidity of the
support member in the seat front to back direction can be improved,
and the seated occupant can be suitably supported particularly
during normal operation in which a load from the seated occupant to
the support member from a seat front side is applied.
[0014] Moreover, preferably, the support member is formed in such a
manner that an upper portion of a space partially enclosed by the
inner plate, the outer plate, and the connection portion is open.
The support member is thus formed in such a manner that an upper
portion of a space partially enclosed by the inner plate, the outer
plate, and the connection portion is open, so that a state of
attachment of the support member to the side frame is easily
confirmed, and a maintenance performance becomes favorable.
[0015] Further, an airbag and an inflator for the airbag may be
disposed at a seat width direction outer side of the outer plate of
the support member, and the inflator may be disposed below the
inner plate. The inflator is thus disposed below the inner plate so
that the inflator allows reduction of an amount of flexure of the
support member to be restrained.
[0016] With the vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure, an amount of protrusion of the support member
from the seat back frame in the seat width direction is restrained,
enlargement of the seat in the width direction is restrained, and
the seated occupant can be suitably protected against impact from
the seat width direction. Moreover, with the vehicle seat according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure, during normal
operation, a support rigidity against a load applied from the
seated occupant can be improved and the seated occupant can be
suitably supported. Moreover, with the vehicle seat according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure, sides of the chest region of
the seated occupant that require protection during a side collision
can be suitably supported. Moreover, with the vehicle seat
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, inhibition of
deformation of the inner plate due to pressing from the seated
occupant by the front expansion portion can be suppressed,
deformation of the support member toward the seat width direction
outer side can be secured, and a load applied to the seated
occupant during a side collision is reduced, whereby the seated
occupant can be suitably supported. Moreover, with the vehicle seat
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, local
generation of a force applied from the inner plate to the seated
occupant can be restrained, and a foreign body sensation caused in
the seated occupant can be suppressed. Moreover, with the vehicle
seat according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the
seated occupant can be suitably supported during normal operation
in which a load from the seated occupant to the support member from
a seat front side is applied. Moreover, with the vehicle seat
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a state of
attachment of the support member to the side frame can be confirmed
through an open portion, whereby a maintenance performance can be
favorable. Moreover, with the vehicle seat according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure, inhibition of flexure of the
support member by abutment of the inner plate against the inflator
can be avoided.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is an external, perspective view of a vehicle seat
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a side view of the vehicle seat of FIG. 1,
schematically illustrating a seat back frame to which a support
member is attached, according to an embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a partial, plan view of the seat back frame,
according to an embodiment.
[0020] FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a support
member including a portion fixed to a side frame by screws and the
side frame during normal operation, as seen from the line A-A of
FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view
illustrating the same and the side frame 32 during a side
collision, as seen from the line A-A of FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, according
to an embodiment.
[0021] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an outer plate side of the
support member, according to an embodiment.
[0022] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an inner plate side of the
support member, according to an embodiment.
[0023] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a back side of the support
member, according to an embodiment.
[0024] FIG. 8 is a front view schematically illustrating the
support member and an airbag module that are attached to the side
frame, according to an embodiment.
[0025] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the support
member and the airbag module that are attached to an outer side of
the side frame of the seat back frame, as seen from the line B-B of
FIG. 1, according to an embodiment.
[0026] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the back side of a support
member according to another embodiment.
[0027] FIG. 11 is a perspective cross-sectional view illustrating
the support member according to another embodiment including the
portion fixed to the side frame by the screws and the side frame,
taken along C-C of FIG. 10.
[0028] FIG. 12 is a side view illustrating the side frame including
a front expansion portion, according to an embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] Hereinafter, a vehicle seat S according to various
embodiments of the present disclosure is described. Note that, in
the following description, a front to back direction denotes a
front to back direction as seen from a seated occupant seated in a
vehicle seat, a width direction denotes a width direction
(horizontal width direction) of a seat back of the vehicle seat,
and a height direction denotes a direction of the height of the
seat back, and more precisely an up to down direction of the seat
back as the seat back is seen from the front.
[0030] First, a configuration of the vehicle seat S according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure is described with reference to
FIGS. 1-3. Herein, FIG. 1 is a perspective, external view of the
vehicle seat S according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure, FIG. 2 is a side view schematically illustrating a seat
back frame 3 to which a support member 4 is attached, and FIG. 3 is
a plan view of the seat back frame 3.
[0031] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the vehicle seat S includes a seat
back S1 serving as a backrest for a seated occupant and a seat
cushion S2 on which the seated occupant is seated.
[0032] The seat back S1 is mainly made of the seat back frame 3
serving as a framework, the support member 4 attached to this seat
back frame 3, a cushion pad 1a provided in such a manner as to
cover these, and a surface skin 1b covering the cushion pad 1a.
[0033] The seat back frame 3 is made, into a frame shape, of a side
frame 32 disposed to be separated in the width direction of the
seat back frame 3 and extending in an up to down direction, a
pipe-shaped upper frame 30 partially constituting the side frame
32, disposed at an upper portion of the seat back frame 3, and
extending in a seat width direction, and a lower frame 33
connecting lower end portions.
[0034] The side frame 32 is made of a side portion 30a of the upper
frame 30 that extends in a seat height direction and a side frame
body 31a formed in such a manner as to partially cover the side
portion 30a on the right and left. The side frame body 31a is
formed by press-working a piece of sheet metal to have a
substantially C-shaped cross section, and is a plate body formed to
be curved such that a front to back width is greater at a lower
side than at an upper side. Moreover, the side frame body 31a is
provided to the seat back S1 such that an open side is disposed at
a seat inner side.
[0035] The support member 4 is provided to support the seated
occupant in the seat width direction against an external force
applied to a vehicle and made of an elastomer resin, such as thermo
polyolefin (TPO), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), or the like.
The support member 4 is attached on at least one side of the right
and left side frames 32, and, in the present embodiment, is
attached on a side of the seat in a vicinity of a door of the
vehicle. Moreover, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the support
member 4 is mainly made of an inner plate 40 fixed to a seat width
direction inner side of the side frame 32, an outer plate 42 fixed
to a seat width direction outer side of the side frame 32, and a
connection plate 41 connecting front sides of the inner plate 40
and the outer plate 42. Note that a detailed shape of the support
member 4 is described below.
[0036] Functions of the support member 4 are now described with
reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. Herein, FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional
view illustrating the support member 4 including a portion fixed to
the side frame 32 by screws 30b and the side frame 32 during normal
operation, as seen from the line A-A of FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, and FIG.
4B is a cross-sectional view illustrating the same and the side
frame 32 during a side collision, as seen from the line A-A of FIG.
2 or FIG. 3.
[0037] In a state of normal operation of the vehicle, in a case in
which the upper body of the seated occupant rolls in the seat width
direction, for example, during travel through a curve, a load is
applied from the seated occupant to the support member 4 in a back
oblique outward direction as indicated by the outlined arrows in
FIGS. 3 and 4A. In this state, the support member 4 allows a
reaction force against the load from the seated occupant to be
provided by abutment of ribs 41 a as described below against a
front surface of the side frame 32 and elasticity proper thereto,
thereby supporting the seated occupant.
[0038] On the other hand, in a state of a side collision of the
vehicle, an instantaneous load from sideward of the vehicle is
applied to the vehicle, which causes the upper body of the seated
occupant to roll in the seat width direction to a great extent in
comparison with the normal operation state. In this case, the upper
body of the seated occupant greatly rolls so that a large load is
applied from the seated occupant to the support member 4 in the
seat width direction indicated by the hatched arrows in FIGS. 3 and
4B. During this side collision, as the support member 4 is
indicated by the broken line in FIG. 4B, the support member 4 is
deformed to allow the seated occupant to move in the seat width
direction, whereby application of a large reaction force from the
support member 4 to the seated occupant is restrained.
[0039] The detailed shape of the support member 4 and functions
thereof that allow the effects as described above to be produced is
now described with reference to FIGS. 5-7. Herein, FIG. 5 is a
perspective view of an outer plate side of the support member 4,
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an inner plate side of the support
member 4, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a back side of the
support member 4.
[0040] As described above, the support member 4 is mainly made of
the inner plate 40, the outer plate 42, and the connection plate 41
connecting the front side of each of the inner plate 40 and the
outer plate 42. The inner plate 40 is made of a rectangular portion
40 a extending in the up to down direction and a trapezoidal
portion 40b that extends continuously from the rectangular portion
40a in the seat width direction and is connected to the connection
plate 41. In particular, the inner plate 40 is attached to the side
portion 30a of the upper frame 30 at a height of the chest region
of the seated occupant above a front expansion portion 31b of the
side frame 32. Note that the height of the chest region of the
seated occupant is determined based on a height of the chest region
of a dummy in accordance with SAE standard.
[0041] Thus, the inner plate 40 is attached to the side portion 30a
of the upper frame 30 at the height of the chest region of the
seated occupant, so that the ribs of the seated occupant beside the
chest portion can be properly protected by being supported by the
inner plate 40. Further, the inner plate 40 is disposed above the
front expansion portion 31b, so that, when the seated occupant hits
the inner plate 40 during a side collision, the front expansion
portion 31b fails to interfere with deformation of the inner plate
40, whereby deformation of the support member 4 is allowed.
[0042] The rectangular portion 40a is a portion fixed to the side
portion 30a of the upper frame 30 constituting the side frame 32.
The support member 4 is thus fixed to the side portion 30a by the
screws 30b inserted into inner side attachment holes 40c as
described below. In a state in which the rectangular portion 40a is
attached to the side frame 32, an outer surface of the rectangular
portion 40a that is opposed to an outer plate 42 as described below
abuts against a side surface side of the side portion 30a of the
upper frame 30 constituting the side frame 32. The rectangular
portion 40a has, at portions abutting against the side portion 30a
of the upper frame 30 in the seat width direction, the two inner
attachment holes 40c penetrated in a thickness direction, in a
vertical manner. Note that, since an upper portion of the support
member 4, which is an upper portion of a space partially enclosed
by the inner plate 40, the outer plate 42, and the connection plate
41, is open as illustrated in FIG. 7, a state of attachment of the
upper frame 30 to the side portion 30a by the screws 30b is easily
visually confirmed, so that a maintenance performance is
favorable.
[0043] In the trapezoidal portion 40b, a long-side side is formed
in such a manner as to be continuous from the rectangular portion
40a and a short-side side is connected to the connection plate 41
described below. An upper side of the trapezoidal portion 40b is
formed in such a manner as to be continuous from an upper side of
the inner plate 40 at a substantially identical height, and a lower
side of the trapezoidal portion 40b is formed to slant upward from
a connection portion of a lower side of the inner plate 40.
[0044] The connection plate 41, which corresponds to a connection
portion, is formed to have a substantially U-shaped cross section
and extend in the height direction, and is formed to be continuous
between the trapezoidal portion 40b of the inner plate 40 and the
outer plate 42 described below. A length of the connection plate 41
in the height direction is configured in such a manner as to
overlap, in a seat front to back direction, with the two inner
attachment holes 40c formed in the rectangular portion 40a. The
connection plate 41 is thus formed so that, during normal
operation, a rigidity of the connection plate 41 against a load
applied from the seated occupant to the connection plate 41 from a
seat front and the seat inner side to a seat back and a seat outer
side can be improved and an ability to hold the seated occupant can
be improved. The inner plate 40 is formed such that a length
thereof in the height direction is long in comparison with the
length of the connection plate 41 in the height direction. The
support member 4 is thus formed so that a contact area of the inner
plate 40 and the seated occupant is enlarged and local generation
of a force applied from the inner plate 40 to the seated occupant
can be restrained. Further, an area of the connection plate 41 is
configured to be relatively smaller than the inner plate 40 and the
rigidity thereof is reduced so that, when the seated occupant is in
contact with the support member 4 through the surface skin 1b and
the cushion pad 1a, a foreign body sensation caused in the seated
occupant can be suppressed. Note that the connection plate 41
preferably has a substantially U-shaped cross section that allows a
stress concentration to be avoided, to which, however, the present
disclosure is not limited. For example, the connection plate 41 may
be shaped into a flat plate extending in an up to down manner.
[0045] The outer plate 42 is formed to be substantially parallel to
the rectangular portion 40a of the inner plate 40, has a length in
the seat front to back direction longer than the inner plate 40,
and extends downward longer than the inner plate 40. In the outer
plate 42, in an order from below, an outer attachment hole 42 a for
attaching the outer plate 42 to the side frame 32, a module
attachment hole 42b for attaching an airbag module 6, and a bead
relief hole 42c formed to prevent interference of a welded bead
formed on the side frame 32 are formed.
[0046] The outer attachment hole 42a is configured to attach the
side frame body 31a to the outer plate 42 by, together with a
through hole 31c formed in the side frame body 31a as illustrated
in FIG. 12, being inserted with a bolt (not shown) that is fastened
by a nut (not shown). The outer attachment hole 42a is formed at a
position that does not overlap in the seat width direction with a
forming position of the inner attachment hole 40c. Specifically,
the inner attachment hole 40c is formed at an upper portion of the
support member 4 and the outer attachment hole 42a is formed at a
lower portion of the support member 4 so as not to overlap in the
seat width direction.
[0047] The outer attachment hole 42 a and the inner attachment hole
40c are thus formed so that positions of attachment to the side
frame 32, by fastenings each inserted thereto, do not overlap in
the seat width direction. Accordingly, a rigidity against a load
applied from the seated occupant to the support member 4 in the
seat width direction during a side collision can be reduced, and,
as described with reference to FIG. 4B, the support member 4 is
deformed to allow the seated occupant to move in the seat width
direction, whereby application of a large reaction force from the
support member 4 to the seated occupant is restrained. Further, as
described above, the support member 4 is attached over the seat
width direction inner side and the seat width direction outer side
of the side frame 32 by the inner plate 40 and the outer plate 42.
Accordingly, the support member 4 is disposed more compactly than
one that is attached only to an outer side of the side frame 32
using a space in the seat width direction.
[0048] The bead relief hole 42c is formed to avoid interference of
the support member 4 with the welded bead rising from the side
frame body 31a outward in the seat width direction. The specific
welded bead is produced, for example, by welding a fixing portion
for fixing a cushion spring (not shown) or the like forming a
portion of the seat back frame 3 to the side frame body 31a.
Moreover, details of the module attachment hole 42b is described
below.
[0049] Moreover, as illustrated in FIG. 7, five of the plate-shaped
ribs 41a in the present embodiment that correspond to a rear side
connection portion are formed on a back side of the connection
plate 41 that faces the side frame 32. The ribs 41a connect an
outer side of the inner plate 40 and an inner side of the outer
plate 42 and are formed vertically to each of the connection plate
41, the inner plate 40, and the outer plate 42. The ribs 41a abut
against a front side of the side portion 30a of the upper frame 30,
which can generate a reaction force against a backward load of a
load applied from the seated occupant toward a back of the seat and
outward in the seat width direction during normal operation as
indicated by the outlined arrows in FIGS. 3 and 4A and enhance the
ability to hold the seated occupant.
[0050] The vehicle seat S including the support member 4 according
to the embodiment as described above allows the ability to hold the
seated occupant during normal operation to be improved and allows a
large reaction force from the support member 4 against the seated
occupant to be prevented by allowing the seated occupant to move
during a side collision. In other words, the vehicle seat S
according to the present embodiment allows the ability to hold the
seated occupant during normal operation in which an airbag does not
operate to be improved and impact during a side collision to be
reduced even in a vehicle without an airbag.
[0051] Further, to protect the seated occupant against impact
during a side collision, the airbag module 6 may be attached to a
seat width direction outer side of the support member 4. An
embodiment in which the airbag module 6 is thus provided is now
described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. Herein, FIG. 8 is a
front view schematically illustrating the support member 4 and the
airbag module 6 that are attached to the side frame 32, and FIG. 9
is a cross-sectional view illustrating the support member 4 and the
airbag module 6 that are attached to the outer side of the side
frame 32 of the seat back frame 3, as seen from the line B-B of
FIG. 1.
[0052] The airbag module 6 according to the present embodiment is
made of a caseless airbag module that does not include a module
case. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the airbag module 6 includes an
inflator 6a, a folded airbag 6b, and a wrap member 6d wrapping the
airbag 6b. The airbag module 6 is fixed, together with the inflator
6a described below, to the support member 4 and the side frame 32
by a bolt 18 provided to stand toward a vehicle seat S inner side
that is inserted into the module attachment hole 42b and fastened.
In other words, the module attachment hole 42b formed in the
support member 4 is formed to fix the airbag module 6.
[0053] Moreover, the airbag module 6 is covered by two webbings 6c,
one end of which is sewn together to a seam portion 60 of an end
portion of the surface skin 1b. The other end of one webbing 6c is
attached to an attachment hole 16 of the side frame body 31a by an
attachment member 50, and the other end of the other webbing 6c is
engaged with a back side edge of the side frame body 31a by an
engagement hook 6e. Then, a break of the seam portion 60, to which
the two webbings 6c are sewn together, due to a pressure of a gas
blown from the inflator 6a, enables the airbag 6b to expand toward
a front of the vehicle seat S.
[0054] The airbag 6b is held by the wrap member 6d made of a cloth
bag or the like while folded, and this wrap member 6d is configured
to be easily broken when the airbag 6b expands. The inflator 6a is
disposed below the inner plate 40 inside the airbag 6b, and the
airbag 6b is configured to expand toward the front of the vehicle
seat S by a gas blown from the inflator 6a. The inflator 6a is thus
disposed below the inner plate 40 so that interference with
deformation of the inner plate 40 due to abutment of the seated
occupant during a side collision can be avoided. As described
above, an outer peripheral portion of the inflator 6 a is fixed to
the support member 4 and the side frame 32 by the bolt 18 provided
to stand toward the vehicle seat S inner side. Note that the
inflator 6a may be fixed to the side frame 32 by an attachment
member other than the bolt.
[0055] As illustrated in FIG. 9, the support member 4 is attached
to the side frame body 31a such that the outer plate 42 is disposed
at a back of the attachment member 50. The support member 4 is thus
attached to the side frame body 31a so that interference of the
support member 4 with attachment of the airbag module 6 to the side
frame body 31a can be prevented.
[0056] As described with illustration in FIG. 4, the support member
4 according to the embodiments as described above is fixed in the
seat width direction to the side portion 30a of the upper frame 30
by the screws 30b inserted into the inner side attachment holes
40c. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the
embodiments as described above, and a support member 7 fixed in the
seat front to back direction to the side portion 30a of the upper
frame 30 is included as well.
[0057] The support member 7 according to another embodiment is
described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. Note that the same
components as those of the embodiments as described above are
provided with the same reference signs and the description thereof
is omitted, but the description on points different from the
embodiments as described above is made in detail. Herein, FIG. 10
is a perspective view of the back side of the support member 7, and
FIG. 11 is a perspective cross-sectional view illustrating the
support member 7 including the portion fixed to the side frame 32
by the screws 30b and the side frame 32, taken along C-C of FIG.
10.
[0058] The support member 7 is mainly made of an inner plate 70
fixed to the seat width direction inner side of the side frame 32,
the outer plate 42 fixed to the seat width direction outer side of
the side frame 32, and a connection portion 71 connecting front
sides of the inner plate 70 and the outer plate 42.
[0059] The inner plate 70 extends in the up to down direction and
includes a rectangular side reception portion 70b and a flange
portion 70a formed at an end portion side of the inner plate 70 to
be continuous from the side reception portion 70b and formed with
an angle of approximately 90.degree. to 120.degree. relative to the
side reception portion 70b.
[0060] The flange portion 70a is a portion fixed to the side
portion 30a of the upper frame 30 forming the side frame 32. In the
flange portion 70a, inner attachment holes 70c described below are
formed. The screws 30b are inserted into these inner attachment
holes 70c, whereby the support member 7 including the flange
portion 70a is fixed to the side portion 30a. In a state in which
the flange portion 70a is attached to the side frame 32, an inner
surface of the flange portion 70a abuts against a front surface
side of the side portion 30a of the upper frame 30 forming the side
frame 32.
[0061] The flange portion 70a has, at portions abutting against the
side portion 30a of the upper frame 30 in the seat width direction,
the two inner attachment holes 70c extending in a thickness
direction that is a front to back direction, in a vertical manner.
Peripheral edges of a rear side of the inner attachment holes 70c
that is a side portion 30a side of the flange portion 70a are
formed to rise toward the side portion 30a. The peripheral edges of
the inner attachment holes 70c are thus formed to rise so that, as
illustrated in FIG. 11, the side frame body 31a partially covering
the side portion 30a can prevent the flange portion 70a from
separating from the side portion 30a. Accordingly, shaking of the
screws 30b can be suppressed by the peripheral edges of the inner
attachment holes 70c, and fixation thereof is stabilized.
[0062] The side reception portion 70b is a portion that receives a
load by the seated occupant in the seat width direction, and is
formed to be continuous from the connection portion 71 described
below on a side opposite to a side continuous from the flange
portion 70a.
[0063] The connection portion 71 is formed into a curved shape to
have a substantially U-shaped cross section and extends in the
height direction, and is formed to be continuous from the side
reception portion 70b of the inner plate 70 and the outer plate 42.
A length of the connection portion 71 in the height direction is
configured in such a manner as to overlap with the two inner
attachment holes 70c formed in the flange portion 70a in the seat
front to back direction.
[0064] In particular, the connection portion 71 is formed to have a
large curvature in comparison with the connection plate 41 so that
a distance between opposing surfaces of the side reception portion
70b and the outer plate 42 is short. The connection portion 71 is
thus formed so that the side reception portion 70b is disposed
closer to a seat outer side than the side frame body 31a.
Accordingly, an amount of protrusion of the flange portion 70a
bending and extending toward the seat inner side from the side
reception portion 70b to the seat inner side is restrained, and the
flange portion 70a is disposed at a position opposed to the front
surface side of the side portion 30a fixed to the side frame body
31a. The flange portion 70a is thus disposed, which allows the
flange portion 70a to be fixed to the side portion 30a by the
screws 30b in the front to back direction.
[0065] Thus, the flange portion 70a can be fixed to the side
portion 30a by the screws 30b not in the seat width direction but
in the seat front to back direction, which prevents head portions
of the screws 30b from widely extending on a plane orthogonal to
the seat width direction, and, in the seat width direction, a
feeling of bodily discomfort of the seated occupant due to a
contact to the support member 7 through the cushion pad 1a and the
surface skin 1b can be restrained. Moreover, for example, various
components may be attached between the upper frame 30 in a pair on
the right and left in the vehicle seat S, a space of which is
accordingly restricted, and an operation performance of attaching
these components and the like may be lowered. In this regard, the
support member 7 having a shape as illustrated in FIG. 11 can be
attached to the side portion 30a of the upper frame 30 by the
screws 30b in the seat front to back direction, which allows a
space of a seat width direction inner side of the support member 7
to be enlarged in comparison with the support member 4.
Accordingly, an operation performance of attaching the above
components and the support member 7 is improved in comparison with
the support member 4 attached to the side portion 30a in the seat
width direction. Further, an axial direction of the screws 30b does
not extend in the seat width direction so that application of a
repeated load to screw portions of the screws 30b in the axial
direction can be suppressed, and the lifetime of the screws 30b and
further the lifetime of the support member 7 can be extended.
[0066] In the present embodiments, the vehicle seat according to
the present disclosure has been mainly described. However, the
embodiments as described above are merely illustrative to
facilitate understanding of the present disclosure and are not
intended to limit the present disclosure. It shall be apparent that
the present disclosure may be modified or improved without
departing from the scope thereof, and that the present disclosure
includes equivalents thereof.
[0067] For example, in the present embodiments, a configuration in
which the support member is attached only to one side frame of the
side frames on the right and left has been described, but, to
enhance the ability to hold the seated occupant on both sides of
the seat, the support member formed bilaterally symmetrically may
be attached bilaterally to the side frames.
[0068] Moreover, in the present embodiments, the airbag module
attached to the support member that is configured to be caseless
has been described, which is, however, not limitative, and may
include a module case.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 1a: cushion pad 1b:
surface skin 16: attachment hole 18: bolt 3: seat back frame 30:
upper frame 30a: side portion 30b: screw 31a: side frame body 31b:
front expansion portion 31c: through hole 32: side frame 33: lower
frame 4: support member 40: inner plate 40a: rectangular portion
40b: trapezoidal portion 40c: inner attachment hole (inner
attachment portion) 41: connection plate (connection portion) 41a:
rib (rear side connection portion) 42: outer plate 42a: outer
attachment hole (outer attachment portion) 42b: module attachment
hole (airbag attachment portion) 42c: bead relief hole 50:
attachment member 6: airbag module. 6a: inflator 6b: airbag 6c:
webbing 6d: wrap member 6e: engagement hook 60: seam portion 7:
support member 70: inner plate 70a: flange portion. 70b: side
reception portion 70c: inner attachment hole (inner attachment
portion) 71: connection portion S: vehicle seat S1: seat back S2:
seat cushion
* * * * *